FRIENDS and family of a Frome woman who is celebrating life nearly 30 years on after being diagnosed with bone cancer, have joined her to form a fundraising group, ‘Team Bones’, to raise awareness and money for charity.
Filipa Vance was diagnosed at the age of 15 with osteosarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer. Filipa remained a cancer patient for 25 years and was formally discharged four years ago. Nearly 30 years on from her initial diagnosis, Filipa is cancer-free, but still lives with the emotional and physical effects of cancer; receiving ongoing treatment for a titanium bone prosthesis in her right leg.
As well as raising money for the Bone Cancer Research Trust, Filipa wants to raise awareness about osteosarcoma and also what life is like after cancer.
“People might think that now I am cancer-free that I am okay,” said Filipa, “but it doesn’t work like that. Yes, I am happy that I have survived cancer, but you are left with a different quality of life – and you have to manage that and move forward.
“I have to accept that my body is different, accept my limitations and focus on what I can do. So ‘Team Bones’ is about raising awareness of what life is like after cancer – but also celebrating that life can move on and that you can get through it.”
Filipa and her 10-year-old son Luis, kick-started the fundraising efforts at the weekend, raising over £1,400 by swimming half a mile in the Henley Swim – an upstream River Thames swimming event, held over the Henley Royal Regatta course.
The pair swam the course in 25 minutes and 10 seconds, shaving a whole nine minutes off Luis’ personal best.
“It was a very emotional day for me, to see my body swimming in sync with my son’s was truly humbling. We were beyond happy and are already thinking about how much we want to return next year,”said Filipa.
“In the water no one can see my scars, I don’t need my walking stick – I can be normal and feel ‘able’ again,” she explained. “The way the water supports my body takes away the physical limitations that I feel on land.
“I might be slower than others, but swimming has allowed me to start the healing in my journey after cancer.
“This event is the first of many that the newly formed ‘Team Bones’ will be undertaking in the next 12 months. We want to celebrate life, honour those who have been affected by this terrible disease and invest in the hope for a better tomorrow!
“The other challenges coming up will include a jumble sale in September, cake sales, high tea parties, a race night, Christmas workshops, plus a series of runs and swims. We are hopeful that more people will come on board with their own challenges. We also hope that my kids’ school will agree to do something.”
To support Filipa and Luis, visit their fundraising page at: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/filipa-vance
To keep up to date with ‘Team Bones’ and their fundraising efforts, visit their blog: https://teambones30yearson.wordpress.com or follow them on Twitter and Instagram: @teambones30.
Picture: Filipa and Luis proudly show off their medals at the Henley Swim, supported by Filipa’s youngest son Thomas.
